🎙️ We’re thrilled to welcome Paul Chin Jr. to Stir Trek 2026!

Paul Chin Jr. at Stir Trek 2026

Curious Human who loves Automation, Food, & Business.

About Paul Chin Jr.

Paul Chin Jr is a Hampton Roads native and a curious human. He is passionate about exploring technology, art, and business. He advocates for making technology accessible and growing communities to help one another. He has created new markets, guided start-up validations, and architected enterprise platforms. The future is amazing, and he can’t wait to help you build it.

Session: Better the Devil you NoSQL - A Battle of Paradigms

1 May 2026 11:30 AM | Ghostbusters - Theatre 17 (20)
Track: Application Development

SQL or NoSQL? We’ll build the same app on DynamoDB and on Aurora DSQL, the latest cloud native database. Then compare modeling, query patterns, cost, latency, transactions, and ops. Takeaway practical insights from this packed micro demo.

Abstract

I spent years living happily in my NoSQL safe space. I avoided SQL out of intimidation, without realizing the cost. Inspired by Ghost Rider’s redemption arc, I used the Devil I know to learn about the one I don’t. We’ll build a “Soul Contract Manager” for Ghost Rider with both DynamoDB and Aurora DSQL. In the process, we’ll see:

How data modeling shapes query flexibility and agility
The realities of multi-record consistency (transactions vs. item-level ops)
Cost and latency levers under typical read/write mixes
Secure connection patterns (IAM-issued tokens vs. app-managed secrets)

Our goal isn’t to pick a winner; instead, you’ll get my hard-won lessons because redemption isn’t about choosing sides; it’s about feeling confident in your choices.

What You’ll Learn

Mental models: Access-pattern modeling (NoSQL) vs. relational modeling (SQL), you can explain to your team.
Modeling tradeoffs in practice: Keys/GSIs/streams vs. schemas/joins/transactions.
Performance & cost levers: How workload shapes (read/write ratio, query mix) changes outcomes.
Security patterns: Secrets-free connections with IAM tokens; least-privilege access.

Why You Can’t Miss It

Memorable and Entertaining Analogies: Inspired by Ghost-Rider’s redemption story to make concepts stick.
Hands-on realism: The same workflow implemented two ways—no hand-wavy “it depends.”

Audience & Level

General developers, backend/full-stack, cloud/serverless engineers, Beginner–Intermediate level

Connect with Paul

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/paulchinjr
Website: https://serverlessguru.com
Blog: https://www.linkedin.com/in/paulchinjr/

Join Us at Stir Trek 2026

Stir Trek 2026 takes place on May 1st, 2026 in Columbus, OH. Don’t miss Paul’s session — grab your ticket before they’re gone!

🎟️ Register now: https://events.humanitix.com/stir-trek-2026-edition